Thursday, September 3rd

Places To Go For Help

If you suspect you are an alcoholic, need help with an alcoholic, or are a recovering alcoholic in need of support, there are a number of places you can go to. Do not use lack of access to care as an excuse for not finding sobriety.

Your first stop is undoubtedly Alcoholics Anonymous. From there, you will find people who can point you in the right direction and provide support. You can look up your local AA branch in your phone book or visit them at http://www.aa.org. The AA website has an enormous amount of information, including the entirety of The Big Book. Take time to learn about the organization, familiarize yourself with the acronyms they use, the way meetings are held, and the types of meetings that are available.

See a doctor if you can. Recovery is serious business and you may not know what damage you have done to your body, especially your organs. Your doctor can point you toward a recovery program that fits you.

Psychiatrists, psychologists, and any number of therapists are available to help with recovery. Check online and in the phone book for practitioners with this specialty.

If you are a woman, check with your local Women’s Center. If you are gay or lesbian, check with the local gay or lesbian center.

There are a number of non-religious alcohol recovery programs available, both online and in person. Spend some time on the web, and find a program in your area that works for your beliefs.

As with all recommendations, the best recommendation is word-of-mouth. If you know a recovering alcoholic, try and put your trust in them and listen to what they have to say. AA may seem to “religious” for you, but you may find that you can adapt it to tour own set of beliefs. By throwing away the bad and keeping the good, you may find that AA will work for you, too.

Getting the word out: